National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man attends IPU-152 opening in Istanbul, Turkey

The 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-152) this year highlights the theme “Nurturing Hope, Ensuring Peace, and Upholding Justice for Future Generations.” On the evening of 15 April local time in Istanbul, Turkey, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and a Vietnamese high-level delegation attended the opening ceremony.

Opening ceremony and participation

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, IPU President Tulia Ackson, and IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong were among the attendees. The event also drew more than 60 presidents, 40 vice presidents, and over 1,000 parliamentarians from 114 IPU member parliaments.

UN message: parliaments and multilateral commitments

In a message to IPU-152 General Assembly, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the central role of parliaments in converting multilateral commitments into concrete national actions, strengthening the effectiveness of the multilateral system.

He highlighted international cooperation, dialogue, and inclusive governance as key elements to respond to global challenges, and called for stronger partnership between the United Nations and parliaments to enhance accountability and people’s trust.

Regional and global priorities

In opening remarks, Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş said IPU-152 is historically significant and timely, linking global developments with regional dynamics. He argued that building peace and justice for future generations requires action toward people, not only statements, initiatives, and ideas.

He also called for strengthening multilateralism and building a new international order aimed at greater fairness and effectiveness, particularly in politics, peace, security, and international economic cooperation.

Inequality, climate risks, and long-term governance

IPU President Tulia Ackson focused on concerns over rising inequality and warned about the climate crisis and its long-term consequences for humanity’s future. She said parliaments play a central role in building consensus, guiding policy, and shaping global solutions.

She urged parliaments to follow three guiding directions: promote inclusivity, persevere in dialogue, and act with a long-term vision for future generations—strengthening multilateralism with the United Nations at the center.

Parliamentary diplomacy and upcoming IPU events

IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong highlighted parliamentary diplomacy’s role in promoting peace, cooperation, and development across regions, as well as improving people’s lives through dialogue, cooperation, trust-building, and shared experience.

He noted that in 2025 the IPU advanced inter-parliamentary cooperation at global and regional levels, including in conflict-affected areas. He said 2026 will feature major events, including the Global Forum of Women Parliamentarians in June 2026 in Serbia, and the IPU-153 General Assembly in October 2026 in Tanzania.

Planned resolutions and economic focus

Regarding IPU-152 outcomes, Chungong called for a session to discuss and adopt two resolutions: the role of parliaments in establishing robust post-conflict governance mechanisms to rebuild a just, sustainable peace; and the construction of a fair and sustainable global economy, including countering protectionism, reducing tariffs, and preventing corporate tax evasion.

Schedule

The IPU-152 General Assembly will meet from 15–19 April 2026. According to the program, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man will deliver an important speech at IPU-152’s plenary session.